Event-driven mobile hazmat monitoring

ABSTRACT

A wireless sensor network for monitoring of a container includes a sensor disposed for monitoring of a container, at least one remote sensor interface, and a gateway. The sensor is configured to acquire data related to the container and communicate sensor data as a function of the acquired data. The remote sensor interface is configured to receive the sensor data communicated from the sensor and wirelessly transmit data relating to the received sensor data. The gateway is configured to receive data related to the sensor data, and transmitted from the at least one remote sensor interface, and is configured to communicate data relating to the sensor data to a network external to the wireless sensor network. The gateway is in at least intermittent electronic communications with the external network.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to Twitchell, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/691,574 filed Jun. 17, 2005. The entire disclosure ofthis patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

II. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application hereby incorporates by reference: U.S. Pat. No.6,753,775 B2 (titled “Smart Container Monitoring System”); U.S. Pat. No.6,745,027 B2 (titled “Class Switched Networks for Tracking Articles”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,585 B2 (titled “Method and Apparatus for ContainerManagement”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,042 (titled “Container for Packagingan Object Provided with a Radio Frequency Transmission Device andRemovable Element for Such a Container”); International PatentApplication Publication No. WO 03/032501 A2, which international patentapplication designated the United States and was published in English(titled “Network Formation in Asset-Tracking System Based on AssetClass”); International Patent Application Publication No. WO 03/098851A1, which international patent application designated the United Statesand was published in English (titled “LPRF Device Wake Up Using WirelessTag”); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0093703 A1 (titled“Systems and Methods Having LPRF Device Wake Up Using Wireless Tag”);U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0093702 A1 (titled“Manufacture of LPRF Device Wake Up Using Wireless Tag”); U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2004/0082296 A1 (titled “Network Formationin Asset-Tracking System Based on Asset Class”); U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0183673 A1 (titled “Portable DetachableSelf-Contained Tracking Unit for Two-Way Satellite Communication with aCentral Server”); and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0021572 A1 (“Electronic Baggage Tracking and Identification”); U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/422,321 (titled “Remote Sensor Interface(RSI) Stepped Wake-Up Sequence”), which published as U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. ______; and U.S. patent application Ser, No.11/423,127 (titled “All Weather Housing Assembly For ElectronicComponents”), which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.______.

III. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

IV. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the monitoring of materialsand, in particular, hazardous materials. Furthermore, the presentinvention relates to mobile containers of such materials and sensorsassociated therewith for monitoring of the mobile containers. Thedescriptions herein relate to mobile containers and vehicles that are inmotion as well as to mobile containers and vehicles that are stationary.

V. BACKGROUND

A 1997 Hazardous Material Shipment Study commissioned by the U.S.Department of Transportation (USDOT) indicates that approximately 3.1billion tons of hazardous materials were transported in the UnitedStates in 1997, which is roughly 8.5 million tons per day. Specifically,approximately 0.5 billion tons of chemicals and 2.6 billion tons ofpetroleum products were transported in 1997. Furthermore, between1996-2005, there were more than 150,000 hazardous materialtransportation incidents reported to the USDOT. The USDOT defineshazardous materials (HAZMAT) as belonging to one of nine classes ofmaterials, including explosives, gases, flammable solids, flammableliquids, oxidizers and organic peroxides, toxic materials and infectioussubstances, radioactive materials, corrosive materials and miscellaneousdangerous goods. Each of these classes of materials is dangerous andpotentially harmful to people, and therefore, caution should be utilizedin their handling and transportation. Accordingly, it is important to beable to accurately and efficiently monitor the transportation of suchhazardous materials.

Monitoring may include asset tracking or it may include incidentnotification in the event of an incident such as a leak or spill ofhazardous materials. Monitoring sensors are known that can quickly andaccurately detect a hazardous material incident. For example, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0046567 discloses a sensor formonitoring the internal environment of a container. However, amonitoring network that efficiently integrates and connects suchavailable sensors is desired.

Unfortunately, a more recent issue with hazardous materials is concernregarding the administration of chemical weapons. Risk of introductionof a terrorist biological, radiological or explosive device via atransportation container is high, and the consequences to people andproperty surrounding such container could be catastrophic. Further, sucha terrorist incident could cripple the international economy because ofthe importance of transportation containers in world commerce.

VI. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features.

A wireless sensor network for monitoring of a container includes asensor disposed for monitoring of a container, at least one remotesensor interface, and a gateway. The sensor is configured to acquiredata related to the container and communicate sensor data as a functionof the acquired data. The remote sensor interface is configured toreceive the sensor data communicated from the sensor and wirelesslytransmit data relating to the received sensor data. The gateway isconfigured to receive data related to the sensor data, and transmittedfrom the at least one remote sensor interface, and is configured tocommunicate data relating to the sensor data to a network external tothe wireless sensor network. The gateway is in at least intermittentelectronic communications with the external network.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor is a chemical sensor. Inaccordance with this feature, the chemical sensor may be sensitive to achemical present within the container.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises a biological sensor,a radiological sensor, a nuclear sensor, an explosive sensor, or achlorine sensor.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor detects a particular chemical,substance, or biological agent.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises a seal monitor thatdetects openings and/or closures of a container.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises an inclinationmonitor for detecting the overturning or tipping of a container.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises a device or array ofdevices for measuring state conditions of a container.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises a device or array ofdevices for measuring state conditions of contents of a container. Inaccordance with this feature, the state condition is at least one oftemperature, volume, weight, and pressure.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises an activitymonitoring device.

In a feature of the invention, the activity monitoring device comprisesat least one of a microphone, a motion detector, a light detector, and abroad-band RF signal scanner.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises a device fordetecting at least one of physical presence at a container, movement ofa container, or tampering with a container.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

In a feature of the invention, the sensor detects data regarding thesecurity, integrity, configuration, condition, disposition, orientation,location, contents, or surroundings of a container.

In a feature of the invention, a first of the at least one remote sensorinterfaces receives the sensor data directly from the sensor, and thegateway receives data related to the sensor data directly from a secondof the at least one remote sensor interfaces different from the first ofthe at least one remote sensor interfaces.

In a feature of the invention, the network further includes a railroadcar that is monitored by the sensor.

In a feature of the invention, the network further includes a tankertruck that is monitored by the sensor.

In a feature of the invention, the network further includes a maritimeshipping container that is monitored by the sensor.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for monitoringa container in a wireless network that includes (i) a sensor disposedfor monitoring of a container, (ii) at least one remote sensorinterface, and (iii) a gateway for receiving data from the at least oneremote sensor interface and communicating with a network external to thewireless sensor network. The method includes the steps of (a) acquiringdata related to the container; (b) after step (a), communicating sensordata as a function of the acquired data; (c) after step (b), receivingthe sensor data; (d) after step (c), wirelessly transmitting datarelating to the receiving sensor data; (e) after step (d), receivingdata related to the sensor data; and (g) after step (e), communicatingdata related to the sensor data to a network external to the wirelesssensor network.

In a feature of this aspect, at least one common designation network isformed. Preferably, a plurality of common designation networks are beformed and comprise class-based networks.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes supplying powerto the at least one remote sensor interface utilizing solar power. Solarpower may be supplied by at least one solar panel.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes supplying powerto the gateway utilizing solar power. Solar power may be supplied by atleast one solar panel.

In a feature of this aspect, communicating data related to the sensordata to a network external to the wireless sensor network includescommunicating via a satellite radio signal. In addition thereto, oralternatively, communicating data related to the sensor data to anetwork external to the wireless sensor network includes communicatingvia a cellular telephony signal.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherincludes the various possible combinations of such aspects and features.

VII. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings which are brieflydescribed below, and wherein the same elements are referred to with thesame reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a remote sensor interface assembly inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a gateway assembly in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the remote sensor interface assembly ofFIG. 1 and the gateway assembly of FIG. 2 mounted on a mobile containerin accordance with an exemplary scenario of HAZMAT monitoring of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows another exemplary scenario of HAZMAT monitoring inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows another exemplary scenario of HAZMAT monitoring inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a remote sensor interface assembly and agateway assembly, each having a respective solar power collector, inaccordance with another preferred embodiment present invention.

FIG. 7 shows yet another exemplary scenario of HAZMAT monitoring inaccordance with the present invention.

VIII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the presentinvention are next described. The following description of the preferredembodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended tolimit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote sensor interface (RSI) assemblyadapted for utilization in mobile HAZMAT monitoring. FIG. 2 is aperspective view of a gateway assembly adapted for utilization in mobileHAZMAT monitoring. In particular, the RSI assembly of FIG. 1 includes anRSI 100 attached to a collar plate 102 for mounting to a container. Thegateway assembly of FIG. 2 includes a gateway 104 attached to a saddleplate 106 for mounting to a container.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a HAZMAT monitoring system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.3, the RSI assembly and gateway assembly are each mounted to a mobilechemical container 108 for the purpose of monitoring the mobile chemicalcontainer 108, and optionally the environment surrounding the container.The mobile container 108 is illustrated as a railroad tanker car merelyfor exemplary and illustrative purposes, and it should be understoodthat the descriptions herein relate equally as well to other types ofmobile containers.

As described herein, a remote sensor interface deployed in associationwith a mobile container collects data from one or more sensors andcommunicates the data (directly or indirectly through other RSIs) to agateway. The gateway preferably receives the data collected by severalRSIs and serves as a bridge between the RSIs and an external networksuch as a cellular telephony network, a satellite radio network, or theInternet. Thus, an interested party at a centralized location is able toreceive data regarding remotely located mobile containers and is therebyinformed of an event to which a response may be needed or appropriate.Interested parties may include local emergency response teams, hazardousmaterials response teams, government transportation authorities, highwayauthorities, aviation authorities, railroad authorities, militaryofficials, law enforcement officials, and both the suppliers andintended recipients of transported materials. The incorporated materialsprovide further descriptions of RSIs, gateways, and networks formedthereby. While the invention described herein relates to variousimplementations of such RSIs, gateways, and networks, the RSIs aredeployed with mobile containers in association with sensors for HAZMATmonitoring.

With regard to FIG. 3, the RSI 100 is capable of electroniccommunications, preferably wireless communications, with the gateway104. In particular, in monitoring the container 108 and environmentthereof, the RSI 100 conveys data regarding one or more sensors (notshown) to the gateway 104. Each such sensor may be an on-board componentof the RSI 100 as a part thereof, or may be external to the RSI. Insofaras sensors are external, such sensors are capable of communicating withthe RSI either wirelessly or by way of cabled connections.

As used herein with respect to HAZMAT monitoring, the term “sensor”relates broadly to many types of devices that are each in some waysensitive to the security, integrity, configuration, condition,disposition, orientation, location, contents, or surroundings of acontainer. Thus, a sensor can be a seal monitor that detects openingsand closures of a container. A sensor can be an inclination monitor fordetecting the overturning or tipping of a container that should bemaintained in a particular orientation. A sensor can be a device orarray of devices for measuring state conditions of a container or thatof its contents such as temperature, volume, weight or mass, andpressure. A sensor can be any activity-monitoring or reconnaissancedevice such as a camera, a microphone, a motion detector, a lightdetector, and a broad-band RF signal scanner. A sensor can be a devicefor detecting physical presence, asset movement, and tampering such as apressure-sensitive pad on a floor or surface, a switch on anaccess-panel, and an optical device such as an infra-red beam device,and an on-board accelerometer.

Furthermore, a sensor, nominally a chemical sensor, can be a device thatdetects a particular chemical or substance, or detects a range ofchemicals or substances. A chemical sensor can be a device that issensitive to any presence of a chemical or substance that generallyshould not be present in any detectable quantity or concentration, suchas a chemical weapon or biohazard. Moreover, a chemical sensor can be adevice that generates a response to a raised concentration of a chemicalor substance, such as carbon monoxide, that is generally otherwisepresent in safe, trace, or ambient concentrations.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a HAZMAT monitoring system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4,the RSI 100 and the gateway 104 are each mounted on the mobile container108 that contains a potentially hazardous chemical. Several sensors 110are attached to the mobile container 108 proximal a manifold of valvesand vents. A HAZMAT related event is occurring in that a particularsensor 110′ detects the potentially hazardous chemical in the form of agas 112 escaping from the container, and the sensor 110′ consequentlytransmits an RF signal 114 to the RSI 100. In response to receipt of thesignal 114, the RSI 100 transmits an RF signal 116 to the gateway 104.In response to receipt of the signal 116, the gateway 104 communicatesinformation regarding the escaping gas 112 via satellite communications118 and/or cellular communications 122. In this respect, the gateway 104communicates via satellite communications 118 with satellite 120 and/orcommunicates via cellular communications 122 with tower 124. Cellularcommunications preferably are used when a cell tower is within range ofthe gateway, and satellite communications preferably are used whencellular communications are unavailable to the gateway. The informationconveyed by communications 118,122 is further carried by respectiveexternal networks, of which the satellite 120 and tower 124 are parts,to one or more parties that are interested in the escaping gas 112 andcontents of the container 108. Such external networks may comprise, forexample, the Internet.

In variations of the exemplary system of FIG. 4, wireless signalstransmitted by a gateway are received by an antenna in a proprietarywireless network such as that at a controlled private facility. Inanother example, according to the present invention, a gateway transmitsa satellite radio signal but not a cellular telephony signal, and, inyet another example, a gateway transmits a cellular telephony signal butnot a satellite radio signal.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a HAZMAT monitoring system inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5 illustrates that a gateway is preferably deployed with a numberof RSIs, and that a network is formed among the RSIs and gateway. Withinsuch a network, which may be a common designation network and/or an adhoc network, wireless signals can be relayed from RSI to RSI (i.e., thenetwork includes “hopping” of communications from RSI to RSI), and agateway can receive data from a particular RSI by way of one or moreother RSIs that relay the data, wherein the particular RSI otherwise isout of range of the gateway.

A train of railroad cars proceeding along a track includes a firstmobile container 140 having mounted thereon a first RSI 142, a secondmobile container 144 having mounted thereon a second RSI 146, and athird mobile container 148 having mounted thereon a gateway 150. AHAZMAT related event is occurring in that a substance 151 leaking fromthe first mobile container 140 is detected by one or more chemicalsensors proximal or on-board the first RSI 142. The first RSI 142transmits a wireless signal 152 that conveys data related to thedetection of the leaking substance 151. Responsively to its receipt ofthe wireless signal 152, the second RSI 146 transmits a wireless signal154 that, among other things, relays the data related to the detectionof the leaking substance to the gateway 150. In response to its receiptof the signal 154, the gateway 150 communicates information regardingthe detection of the leaking substance via the satellite communications156 and/or the cellular communications 158 for further propagation ofthe information regarding the detection of the leak by way of networksassociated respectively with the Earth orbiting satellite 160 and/orcell tower 162.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a HAZMAT monitoring system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention whereinsolar power collectors are utilized to provide power. An RSI 170 andgateway 172 have attached thereto respective solar power collectors174,176. The solar power collectors serve to re-charge, supplement, orobviate electrical batteries that might otherwise be drained causingRSIs and gateways to lose function. The solar power collectors therebyserve to reduce costs related to replacing spent batteries as well asserving to extend the potential range of RSI and gateway networks intoareas where battery servicing is infeasible according to costs,according to needs for secrecy, or according to the presence of hazardsposed by materials, conditions, or even hostile forces. Sensorsassociated with RSIs may also be powered in part or solely by solarpower collectors. In yet other variations, one or more sensors may bepowered by solar power collectors while the RSIs and/or gateways arepowered by internal power sources such as batteries. Moreover, wheninternal power sources are utilized, the RSIs and/or gateways preferablyreside in “standby” or “sleep mode” until awoken in accordance with oneor more of the incorporated references.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a HAZMAT monitoring system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Severalcommon designation networks, which may include a class-based network,are formed among common designations of mobile containers. An RSI 202mounted on mobile container 204, which RSI 202 is out of range of thegateway 214, has formed a first “radioactive” common designation networkwith an RSI 206 mounted on mobile container 208. A HAZMAT related eventhas occurred within the network in that a radiation sensor on-board orproximal the RSI 202 has detected a raised radiation level at thesurface of the mobile container 204. Such an event may indicate, forexample, that radioactive material is leaking, that tampering isoccurring, or that undesired shifting of materials or shielding hasoccurred within the mobile container 204. A wireless signal 210 istransmitted by the RSI 202 and is received by the RSI 206. The wirelesssignal 210 conveys data related to the event from the RSI 202 to the RSI206. Responsively to its receipt of the signal 210, the RSI 206transmits a wireless signal 212 to a stationary gateway 214, therebyrelaying data related to the event to the gateway 214 for furthercommunications (not shown).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, an RSI 222 mounted on the mobilecontainer 224, which RSI 222 is out of range of the gateway 214, hasformed a second “chemical” common designation network with an RSI 226mounted on the mobile container 228. A HAZMAT related event has occurredwithin the network in that a chemical sensor on-board or proximal theRSI 222 has detected a raised concentration of a gaseous substance atthe valve manifold area of the mobile container 224. Such an event mayindicate, for example, that a valve or the container 224 is leaking orthat tampering is occurring. A wireless signal 230 is transmitted by theRSI 222 and is received by the RSI 226. The wireless signal 230 conveysdata related to the event from the RSI 222 to the RSI 226. Responsivelyto its receipt of the signal 230, the RSI 226 transmits a wirelesssignal 232 to the stationary gateway 214, thereby relaying data relatedto the event to the gateway 214 for further communications (not shown).

Still yet, as shown in FIG. 7, an RSI 242 mounted on the mobilecontainer 244, which RSI 242 is out of range of the gateway 214, hasformed a third “bio-chemical” common designation network with an RSI 246mounted on the mobile container 248. A HAZMAT related event has occurredwithin the network in that a motion sensor, an accelerometer, or aproximity sensor associated with the RSI 242 has detected unauthorizedmovement of the mobile container 244 that contains a material thatrepresents a potential bio-chemical hazard. Such an event may indicate,for example, that theft is occurring or that the mobile container 244 isbeing moved in error. A wireless signal 250 is transmitted by the RSI242 and is received by the RSI 246. The wireless signal 250 conveys datarelated to the event from RSI 242 to RSI 246. Responsively to itsreceipt of the signal 250, the RSI 246 transmits a wireless signal 260to the stationary gateway 214, thereby relaying data related to theevent to the gateway 214 for further communications (not shown).

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description related to FIG. 7,communications within the radioactive network do not result incommunications within any of the chemical and bio-chemical networks, andvice-versa. This results from the preferred use of common designation adhoc networks within the HAZMAT monitoring system. Communications betweenRSIs and gateways further may be deterministic or nondeterministic.

Several HAZMAT monitoring systems described herein with reference to thefigures relate to chemical sensors for monitoring transported or storedchemicals and substances. Such monitoring relates to work-place safety,public health, and the protection of the environment in that manychemicals and substances are indeed hazardous if released or mishandled.Furthermore, such monitoring also relates to antiterrorism activities,as such chemicals and substances can be used in terrorist attacks. It istherefore to be understood that, though particular substances are namedfor exemplary purposes, the scenarios discussed herein relateparticularly to any hazardous material, such as those that representchemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.Moreover, insofar as such materials represent commercially valuableassets, it should be understood that such monitoring also broadlyrelates to asset monitoring and asset protection in general withoutregard for whether such assets are hazardous, in that many chemicals andsubstances can be extremely valuable in various industries.

Particular chemicals and sensors thereof to which descriptions hereinrelate include, but are not limited to, carbon monoxide, hydrogensulfide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, chlorine, oxygen, sulfurdioxide, hydrogen, and other materials useful in various industries orproduced as by-products thereof. Other examples include combustiblematerials such as methane, butane, propane, n-pentane, acetylene,hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), petroleum, and petroleum distillates.

It will further be appreciated that each of the aforementioned exemplaryscenarios involves detection of a leaking substance, escaping gas, orother “event” relating to a container that is monitored, and that theresulting communications are typically for purposes of alerting theappropriate person or entity for an appropriate response.

It also will be appreciated that each of the aforementioned exemplaryscenarios involves outdoor HAZMAT monitoring but that the HAZMATmonitoring in accordance with the present invention likewise may beutilized indoors or both indoors and outdoors.

Event-driven monitoring as further contemplated herein, however, mayinclude proactive monitoring in addition to such reactive monitoring.For example, if a sensor comprises a camera, proactive monitoring mayinclude reviewing still pictures or video clips periodically captured bythe camera to insure nothing out of the ordinary is occurring withregard to the container. A sensor further may include a GPS receiver,whereby the location of the container can be remotely tracked atperiodic intervals to insure that the location of the container iswithin expected limits. Such proactive monitoring may include acquiringdata via one or more sensors at predetermined intervals using a timerdisposed either at the sensor or at an RSI associated with the sensor.Alternatively, such proactive monitoring may include acquiring data viaone or more sensors in response to queries or commands that are issuedfrom the external network via a gateway to one or more RSIs andassociated sensor(s). Such queries or commands could be sent atpredetermined intervals, in response to predetermined trigger events, oron demand of a user. Moreover, communications from a gateway to anothergateway (such as a mobile gateway) and/or an RSI from whichsensor-acquired information is desired preferably may be effected usingcommon designation networking in order to reduce RF interference andunnecessary power consumption by other communication devices in thearea.

Finally, in order to reduce power consumption and prolong battery life,wake-up technology preferably is utilized in the RSIs and gateways(especially mobile gateways) in the HAZMAT monitoring systems inaccordance with the present invention. Such wake-up technology isdisclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2005/0093703 A1 (titled “Systems and Methods Having LPRF Device Wake UpUsing Wireless Tag”) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/422,321(titled “Remote Sensor Interface (RSI) Stepped Wake-Up Sequence”), whichpublished as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. ______, bothdisclosures of which have been incorporated herein by reference. Suchwake-up technology preferably is used not only in RSIs but also ingateways and, in particular, in mobile gateways. Such use of the wake-uptechnology not only provides reduced power consumption and prolongsinternal power sources of these communications devices, but furtherprovides a stealth advantage/security feature in which thesecommunication devices may only respond (and thus reveal their presence)upon receipt of an appropriate wake-up signal.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1. A wireless sensor network for monitoring of a container, the networkcomprising: (a) a sensor disposed for monitoring a container, saidsensor configured to acquire data related to the container andcommunicate sensor data as a function of the acquired data; (b) at leastone remote sensor interface, said at least one remote sensor interfacebeing configured, (i) to receive said sensor data communicated from saidsensor, and (ii) wirelessly transmit data relating to said receivedsensor data; and (c) a gateway configured to receive data related tosaid sensor data and transmitted from said at least one remote sensorinterface, and further configured to communicate data relating to saidsensor data to a network external to the wireless sensor network, saidgateway being at least in intermittent electronic communications withthe external network.
 2. The network of claim 1, wherein said sensor isa chemical sensor.
 3. The network of claim 2, wherein said chemicalsensor is sensitive to a chemical present within said container.
 4. Thenetwork of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a biological sensor, aradiological sensor, a nuclear sensor, an explosive sensor, or achlorine sensor.
 5. The network of claim 1, wherein said sensor detectsa particular chemical, substance, or biological agent.
 6. The network ofclaim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a seal monitor that detectsopenings and/or closures of a container.
 7. The network of claim 1,wherein said sensor comprises an inclination monitor for detecting theoverturning or tipping of a container.
 8. The network of claim 1,wherein said sensor comprises a device or array of devices for measuringstate conditions of a container.
 9. The network of claim 1, wherein saidsensor comprises a device or array of devices for measuring stateconditions of contents of a container.
 10. The network of claim 9,wherein the state condition is at least one of temperature, volume,weight, and pressure.
 11. The network of claim 1, wherein said sensorcomprises an activity monitoring device.
 12. The network of claim 11,wherein the activity monitoring device comprises at least one of amicrophone, a motion detector, a light detector, and a broad-band RFsignal scanner.
 13. The network of claim 1, wherein said sensorcomprises a device for detecting at least one of physical presence at acontainer, movement of a container, or tampering with a container. 14.The network of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises an accelerometer.15. The network of claim 1, wherein said sensor detects data regardingthe security, integrity, configuration, condition, disposition,orientation, location, contents, or surroundings of a container.
 16. Thenetwork of claim 1, wherein a first of said at least one remote sensorinterfaces receives said sensor data directly from said sensor, and saidgateway receives data related to said sensor data directly from a secondof said at least one remote sensor interfaces different from said firstof said at least one remote sensor interfaces.
 17. The network of claim1, further comprising a railroad car that is monitored by said sensor.18. The network of claim 1, further comprising a tanker truck that ismonitored by said sensor.
 19. The network of claim 1, further comprisinga maritime shipping container that is monitored by said sensor.
 20. Thenetwork of claim 1, wherein the gateway is further configured tocommunicate the data to the external network upon receipt of anappropriate wake-up signal communicated to said gateway and is notconfigured to communicate the data to the external network at periodicintervals determined based on a timer of the gateway.
 21. A method formonitoring of a container in a wireless network that includes (i) asensor disposed for monitoring of a container, (ii) at least one remotesensor interface, and (iii) a gateway for receiving data from the atleast one remote sensor interface and communicating with a networkexternal to the wireless sensor network, the method including the stepsof: (a) acquiring data related to said container; (b) after step (a),communicating sensor data as a function of said acquired data; (c) afterstep (b), receiving said sensor data; (d) after step (c), wirelesslytransmitting data relating to said receiving sensor data; (e) after step(d), receiving data related to said sensor data; and (f) after step (e),communicating data related to said sensor data to a network external tothe wireless sensor network.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein atleast one common designation network is formed.
 23. The method of claim22, wherein a plurality of common designation networks are formed. 24.The method of claim 21, further comprising supplying power to the atleast one remote sensor interface utilizing solar power.
 25. The methodof claim 24, wherein solar power is supplied by at least one solarpanel.
 26. The method of claim 21, further comprising supplying power tothe gateway utilizing solar power.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereinsolar power is supplied by at least one solar panel.
 28. The method ofclaim 21, wherein communicating data related to said sensor data to anetwork external to the wireless sensor network includes communicatingvia a satellite radio signal.
 29. The method of claim 21, whereincommunicating data related to said sensor data to a network external tothe wireless sensor network includes communicating via a cellulartelephony signal.
 30. The method of claim 21, wherein said step (f) isperformed by a gateway upon receipt of an appropriate wake-up signal andis not performed at periodic intervals determined based on a timer ofthe gateway.